Making friends

I’m writing this guide for my kids as they grow up and go out into the world — but it’s for anyone who wants to connect with others. I’m writing it for my teenage self, who was shy and awkward and self-conscious. I’m writing it as a reminder to my…

I’ve lied. A lot. It’s something I do without even thinking. My expectations take the reins and make decisions for me. They tell me that going out with friends is going to be a disaster. It comes from the fear of hanging out with people I’m not familiar with and…

Having close relationships is one of the most meaningful elements to happiness. It’s not always easy to make friends, however. To form a friendship, you must like someone—and you must also be likable. How can you boost the chances that someone will like you? Here are eight strategies to keep…

Some level of social anxiety is normal. But there’s a difference between wanting to be accepted and fearing rejection so much that you avoid any place you think you might be judged. Social anxiety becomes a problem when it’s so intense that it prevents you from enjoying your social lifeSocial anxiety disorder. In:…

Experiencing some amount of social anxiety is normal. However, when it's not just a matter of wanting to be accepted, and it’s so intense it prevents you from enjoying your social life, it’s a serious issue. If social anxiety is left untreated or is treated incorrectly, it can be debilitating,…

Understanding social anxiety is the most important step toward not feeling lost or unaware about why and when it happens. So, where do you start? Social anxiety is a condition in which a person has an excessive fear of being closely watched, judged, and criticized in social situations. In this…